GO-AHEAD FOR COLNE VALLEY SCHEME TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

7.15.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Oct 2007

Cllr Nicola Turner, chair of the Colne Valley Area Committee.

Liberal Democrat Councillors from Colne Valley and Golcar wards have voted to boost efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour in the Colne Valley. The Councillors agreed to spend an extra £5,000 this year to provide two extra 'Street Scene' youth sessions every week. The sessions will be used in problem areas, offering a rapid response service to target trouble hotspots in the Colne Valley area.

Cllr Nicola Turner, chair of the Colne Valley Area Committee, said "Whilst most young people do behave responsibly, we have had reports from residents of small pockets of trouble. In particular, concerns were raised about Honley, New Mill and Slaithwaite. We have decided to use the Street Scene approach to make sure that we are able to target resources to the places where they are needed.

"Crime and antisocial behaviour are a top priority for residents in the Colne Valley, and the Area Committee will keep working to provide extra money to tackle this issue. Street Scene has proved very effective in other areas, and I hope that this extra funding will be equally useful here."

Street Scene is a project which works to engage with young people in areas where they may be causing a disturbance. The project also tackles health concerns such as alcohol misuse.